The fate of Battlegrounds Mobile India appears uncertain once more. As per News18 reports, the Indian government is investigating concerns regarding potential misuse of user data in the popular mobile game, BGMI, with possible links to China. Will this scrutiny result in another ban on BGMI in India?
A high-ranking official from the Union government’s cybersecurity division, specifically the law enforcement department, has suggested discontinuing the app.
The report also notes that the arrival of Seema Haider, a Pakistani national, in India, is causing significant worry for the government. Sachin Meena, reportedly Haider’s partner, is said to have connected with her through BGMI. This development raises concerns among officials, as it is feared that other parties could potentially exploit location and user data, potentially leading to significant cyber threats, given the game’s widespread popularity across the nation.
Recently, BGMI partnered with Ranveer Singh, introducing him as a playable character in the game. Additionally, the game witnessed a notable increase in both player numbers and Esports tournaments in recent months. What implications might this have for the game’s future?
What lies ahead for BGMI in India?
According to reports, a meeting is planned to address the matter, and its outcome could shape the future of BGMI in India. Notably, BGMI, a variant of PUBG Mobile, was initially developed by Tencent, a Chinese company. Following the ban of PUBG Mobile in India in 2020 due to security apprehensions, Krafton opted to create BGMI tailored for the Indian audience.
Krafton also eliminated specific features from the game that had raised concerns with the Indian government, including in-game chat functionality and excessive violence. Despite these adjustments, the Indian government remains apprehensive about the game. One significant worry is the potential transfer of user data to servers located in China. The Indian government has intensified its scrutiny of Chinese tech firms in recent times, citing security apprehensions.
As of now, Krafton has yet to issue an official response regarding this issue. The upcoming meeting concerning BGMI is expected to center around the concerns regarding data transfers. Should Krafton fail to address the Indian government’s inquiries adequately, there’s a possibility of BGMI facing a ban. Such an outcome would significantly impact Krafton, considering India’s status as a crucial and sizable market for the company. This is especially noteworthy given the game’s sustained surge in popularity.
It’s important to note that no definitive decision has been reached regarding the future of BGMI in India. The potential ban of BGMI hinges on the outcome of the forthcoming meeting scheduled in the upcoming weeks.
Let us know your opinions on the possible BGMI ban by commenting below.
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